Functional and versatile colorful superhydrophobic nanocellulose-based membrane with high durability, high-efficiency oil/water separation and oil spill cleanup

Colorful superhydrophobic coating with high durability and versatility has been receiving tremendous attention in decorative applications. A one-step spraying method for fabricating colorful superhydrophobic nanocellulose-based membrane (CSNBM) with high durability, high-efficiency oil/water separation and oil spill cleanup is established by using octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS), pigment dispersions and n-hexane. The color diversity and depth of the CSNBM are regulated by adjusting the dosage of pigment dispersions. Due to the stoichiometrically regulated reaction of long-chain organosilanes with water, which produces micro to nanoscale hierarchical siloxane aggregates dispersible in industrial solvents, the colorful coating securely clings to the NBM surface to form CSNBM. Even after several severe testing, this CSNBM is proven to be exceedingly resilient, with no substantial decrease in superhydrophobicity (pH soultion test, wear abrasion, blending test and UV irradiation). Furthermore, this CSNBM can be employed to create various colorful paintings. This CSNBM can also be used to separate diverse oil/water combinations with high efficiency. Moreover, this CSNBM had excellent anti-fouling properties in a variety of liquids, including water, orange juice, coffee, tea, milk, and cola. This strategy will pave the way for the huge potential application in technological design or decoration, as well as hasten their commercialization in near future.